Murali Gets his 800th Wicket, SL 10 Wicket Victory over No.1 Test Team at Galle

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Murali Gets his 800th Wicket, SL 10 Wicket Victory over No.1 Test Team at Galle

Posted by admin July 22, 2010 No Comments

muralitharan held high by team mates

The wait seemed interminable. But Muttiah Muralitharan achieved the magical figures of 800 Test wickets in his retirement Test as Sri Lanka were once again thrust into victory, this time against the no.1 Test team in the world in the closing stages of the fifth day’s play.
Following India’s debacle in the first innings when they were bowled out for 276 despite Virender Sehwag’s century in response to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 520 for six declared, Sri Lanka made the obvious decision to make India follow on even as Muralitharan completed yet another five-for in his illustrious career.
Once again Gautam Gambhir became Lasith Malinga’s bunny. But India had their hopes pinned high for a draw based on the 119 run partnership for the third wicket between Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. While the stalwarts stalled matters, Muralitharan was chugging for the three wickets that would get him to the 800 mark.
Tendulkar missed his own century by sixteen runs, while Dravid fell to Malinga for forty-four thereby, breaking India’s resistance. Overnight on 181 for five, India did not look to stand a chance with only V.V.S. Laxman standing. Malinga picked up his personal five-for of the match, but the final wicket to fall and Muralitharan’s 800th held up matters for the betetr part of the day.
Laxman and Ishant Sharma delayed the inevitable for sixty-eight runs. Eventually Murali was not to be denied, Pragyan Ojha falling victim as Mahela Jayawardene took the 77th catch off Muralitharan’s bowling, as India eventually succumbed on 338. What the tail did though was hang around long enough to avoid an innings defeat ignominy for the no.1 team.
Instead Sri Lanka were left to chase ninety-five runs, achieved successfully by the half century marker, Tillekeratne Dilshan in company with Tharanga Paravitana as Sri Lanka won the first Test at the Galle International Stadium by 10 wickets.

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